Article: Playing Zeev Buium Would Help the Wild's Short- and Long-Term Goals

[Tony Abbott]

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[MacGyver]

Well he's not playing tonight...

[TCMooch]

I agree. Playoff spot is on the line and it’s not worth playing him. Can you imagine the fans and media if he screws up and costs the game?

 

[M_Nels]

14 minutes ago, TCMooch said:

I agree. Playoff spot is on the line and it’s not worth playing him. Can you imagine the fans and media if he screws up and costs the game?

 

Same goes for Merill too haha but I do understand why they're not playing him.

[RedLake]

If I was Buuim I'd be asking to be traded. Merril couldn't Crack most AHL lineups!

[greg]

I understand it as well.  But it is a letdown.  Many of us wanted to see him play.  It's sad because if the Wild had shown up and played in Calgary plus a few other games they could have played him tonight in a non playoff type game.  You never know what you are getting with this Wild team.  Kaprisov  and Ek had great first games back playing the worst team in the NHL.  They and the team haven't really played well since.

[greg]

It's the same thing.  Has they won the game in Calgary to secure a playoff Fleury could have played tonight in likely his last NHL game for the home crowd.  Maybe the game will be one sided and he can get in to play lol

[MacGyver]

Montreal is in a similar position as the Wild but it didn't stop them from playing Demidov right away. He rewarded them with a goal and an assist his first game in the N for their confidence. Wild are not dice rollers.

[Enforceror]

8 minutes ago, MacGyver said:

Montreal is in a similar position as the Wild but it didn't stop them from playing Demidov right away. He rewarded them with a goal and an assist his first game in the N for their confidence. Wild are not dice rollers.

I wonder if Demidov got a practice in with the team. My understanding is that so far, Buium has not.

[Beast]

No, it does not make sense to hold him out (in regard to their chances of winning tonight and in the playoffs).  And, yes, it is worth the “risk.”  I use that word because it seems some think there’s the possibility of him sabotaging tonight’s game with bad hockey.

This team isn’t going to miss the playoffs because Buium wouldn’t hold up defensively in some way.  He wouldn’t get big even strength minutes.  He certainly wouldn’t get PK minutes (maybe ever in his career).

They may miss the playoffs because they have no offense.  That’s the case without Buium.  Could it really get worse with him?  I don’t see how.

Is it really “risky” to roll with 7 defenseman and exclude a 4th line guy that offers nothing?

For reference, Brazeau is career 48% CF% at under 12 minutes a game.  Trenin about the same.  Hartman is 49% this year.  Johnny Merrill is 44.3% this year and a -7.  Bogosian 45% at -6.

Whats more risky?  Going into Anaheim knowing your offense is in rough shape, having a rough night and potentially losing 2-1?  Or, Buium’s offensive skills not translating to the NHL and providing nothing to scoresheet immediately?  If they don’t get some production from somebody else (Boldy, Kaprisov, Ek, etc.), they’re losing with it without Buium.

What’s more risky?  Going into the playoffs with Buium having a taste of the speed of the NHL?  Or, getting desperate in game 3 or 4 and throwing him out there in a no-win situation in a series that’s probably already over?  Or, not playing him at all and continuing with something that clearly isn’t working?

Makes no sense to me from a hockey standpoint.  If they’re not playing them tonight, it tells me they’re not playing him at all.  With Buium, you at least provide some hope.  He has the upside to meaningfully impact the series in a way no other wild defenseman (maybe in their history) can.  That alone may get some extra jump and excitement from the rest of the team.  With the status quo, this team stinks and everyone knows are going 1 series and done, short of a miracle goaltending.

It’s not about the “risk” of Buium being in over his head and create a loss when they need a win.  It’s 100% about preserving a year on his ELC.  Which, fine, that may be correct call.  But have the spine to say that in the media.  Don’t trowel out putrid sludge about Buium being a performance risk more so than some of the black holes were running out.

[TCMooch]

I’m hoping the Wild don’t even make the playoffs in the hopes Dipshit Billy gets fired

[M_Nels]

8 minutes ago, TCMooch said:

I’m hoping the Wild don’t even make the playoffs in the hopes Dipshit Billy gets fired

Billy's not getting canned this year even if they miss the playoffs, sorry to burst your bubble. IF the Wild miss again next season or don't win a round in the playoffs then his seat gets real toasty.

I'm not a blind Guerin defender by any means but I don't think his seat is even warm yet. This offseason and next year will be how Billy's tenure is ultimately judged.

[Neutral Zone Dangles]

1 hour ago, M_Nels said:

Billy's not getting canned this year even if they miss the playoffs, sorry to burst your bubble. IF the Wild miss again next season or don't win a round in the playoffs then his seat gets real toasty.

I'm not a blind Guerin defender by any means but I don't think his seat is even warm yet. This offseason and next year will be how Billy's tenure is ultimately judged.

Owner already said he was all in with Billy G’s five year plan. Currently in year two. Billy G isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Maybe if he can’t re-sign Kaprizov this summer, he’ll feel the heat you speak of. 

[MacGyver]

2 hours ago, Enforceror said:

I wonder if Demidov got a practice in with the team. My understanding is that so far, Buium has not.

Demidov got one team practice the day before he played. Buium got in an optional practice where only ten players participated. A slight but insignificant difference. I can see both sides of this but it is so like the Wild to choose to be conservative. The Wild are signaling they are approaching with caution. This could be a game the Wild are going to be playing not to lose rather than playing to win.

[Citizen Strife]

Funny thing is, playing not to lose is enough for once.

[SkolWild73]

2 hours ago, Beast said:

No, it does not make sense to hold him out (in regard to their chances of winning tonight and in the playoffs).  And, yes, it is worth the “risk.”  I use that word because it seems some think there’s the possibility of him sabotaging tonight’s game with bad hockey.

This team isn’t going to miss the playoffs because Buium wouldn’t hold up defensively in some way.  He wouldn’t get big even strength minutes.  He certainly wouldn’t get PK minutes (maybe ever in his career).

They may miss the playoffs because they have no offense.  That’s the case without Buium.  Could it really get worse with him?  I don’t see how.

Is it really “risky” to roll with 7 defenseman and exclude a 4th line guy that offers nothing?

For reference, Brazeau is career 48% CF% at under 12 minutes a game.  Trenin about the same.  Hartman is 49% this year.  Johnny Merrill is 44.3% this year and a -7.  Bogosian 45% at -6.

Whats more risky?  Going into Anaheim knowing your offense is in rough shape, having a rough night and potentially losing 2-1?  Or, Buium’s offensive skills not translating to the NHL and providing nothing to scoresheet immediately?  If they don’t get some production from somebody else (Boldy, Kaprisov, Ek, etc.), they’re losing with it without Buium.

What’s more risky?  Going into the playoffs with Buium having a taste of the speed of the NHL?  Or, getting desperate in game 3 or 4 and throwing him out there in a no-win situation in a series that’s probably already over?  Or, not playing him at all and continuing with something that clearly isn’t working?

Makes no sense to me from a hockey standpoint.  If they’re not playing them tonight, it tells me they’re not playing him at all.  With Buium, you at least provide some hope.  He has the upside to meaningfully impact the series in a way no other wild defenseman (maybe in their history) can.  That alone may get some extra jump and excitement from the rest of the team.  With the status quo, this team stinks and everyone knows are going 1 series and done, short of a miracle goaltending.

It’s not about the “risk” of Buium being in over his head and create a loss when they need a win.  It’s 100% about preserving a year on his ELC.  Which, fine, that may be correct call.  But have the spine to say that in the media.  Don’t trowel out putrid sludge about Buium being a performance risk more so than some of the black holes were running out.

I could be wrong, but I thought I  we already burned a year of his ELC, regardless if he plays or not.

[Tony Abbott]

4 hours ago, TCMooch said:

I agree. Playoff spot is on the line and it’s not worth playing him. Can you imagine the fans and media if he screws up and costs the game?

 

If a 19-year-old playing one game can cost you a playoff spot, that spot was never really yours to begin with.

[TCMooch]

1 hour ago, Tony Abbott said:

If a 19-year-old playing one game can cost you a playoff spot, that spot was never really yours to begin with.

I guess I agree? Team is dog shit and just barely scraped it’s pathetic ass into the playoffs for another first round exit

[Patrick]

Merrill has managed a team low minus 8 while playing the most protected minutes Hynes could dream up.  Zeev gives you a significantly better chance to win. 

Ironically,  Merrill's brain dead line change (brain dead decisions are a staple of his game) almost cost the Wild their playoff spot.  

Hynes is a coward.  Maybe that's why this team always folds in the big game? 

 

[M_Nels]

7 minutes ago, Patrick said:

Hynes is a coward.  Maybe that's why this team always folds in the big game? 

I think coward might be too harsh, I would call him too conservative/cautious, especially the last 1/2 of the season. I think a lot of that came with the injuries and the Wild had to play a more defensive game.

Early in the season the boys were fast through the neutral zone and played a good transition game. The last games (except SJS game) of a mostly full roster looked stagnant. They need to get back to the higher octane game to have a sliver of a chance against Vegas.